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arrow2014 Audi RS6 Avant
If the RS6 Avant were available stateside, we'd be grocery shopping every day.
The ultimate station wagon has returned, as Audi has revealed third generation of its RS6 Avant. After the monstrous previous-generation RS6 Avant, with its twin-turbocharged V-10, the brand now returns to a twin-turbocharged V-8 engine. A step back? Perhaps, as output drops by 20 hp to 560, but torque rises from 479 lb-ft to 516.
The RS6's engine is the most powerful variation to date of the Volkswagen Group’s twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8, which also motivates the 10Best-winning S6 and S7 (where it’s tuned to 420 hp), the S8 (520 hp), and the Bentley Continental GT (500 hp). It is force-fed by two twin-scroll turbochargers, placed in the valley of the two cylinder banks along with the exhaust headers. Like its lesser siblings, the RS6 Avant comes with a cylinder-deactivation system, which turns it into a four-cylinder when cruising. Attached to this powerhouse is a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic; Audi's own seven-speed dual-clutch transmission couldn't handle the massive torque of the engine. The inevitable stop-start system is standard, so you won't be able to enjoy this engine's rumble at stoplights without turning it off.
This V-8 is such a capable and powerful engine that the V-10 won't be missed by many, particularly since that engine’s voice was somewhat muted. That was just one of the ways in which the previous-gen RS6 never quite lived up to the first-generation, becoming too comfortable and too luxurious. The new RS6 aims to recapture the raucous nature of the original.
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Compared to its immediate predecessor, the new RS6 Avant is lighter by 220 pounds, which takes the pain out of the marginal power loss. This has been achieved not only through the smaller engine, but also thanks to the altogether lighter body and structure of the current A6, on which the RS6 Avant is based.
So it's no wonder the new power wagon is a far more efficient machine, with a consumption of 24 mpg in the optimistic European cycle, up from its predecessor's 17 mpg. And the RS6 Avant also measures up nicely to the competition in this regard. It’s much more fuel efficient than the Cadillac CTS-V wagon; it also edges out the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG wagon, and the sedan-only BMW M5.
Moreover, Audi’s claims put the RS6 Avant in the heart of the battle in sprints to 62 mph, at an estimated 3.9 seconds. We’ve tested each of the RS6 wagon’s direct competitors; the M5 took 3.7 seconds to reach 62, the CTS-V wagon did the deed in 4.0 seconds, and the E63 wagon took 3.8. We think Audi’s estimate is a bit conservative, especially considering the S6 completed the task in 3.7 seconds. Top speed is governed in three stages. In standard configuration, the RS6 Avant calls it quits at 155 mph, the Dynamic package raises the figure to 174 mph, while Dynamic Plus gets the wagon to 190. That equals the M5 sedan and bests both the E63 AMG and the Cadillac. If we had one wish for the RS6 Avant, however, it would be the addition of a row-your-own gearbox, as is available in the CTS-V and the American-market M5.
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We've sampled the Quattro all-wheel-drive system with its self-locking center differential and the rear sport differential in other Audi models and can attest to its high competence on the road and on the track. It's applied here on a platform with an adaptive air suspension; a conventionally sprung sports suspension is offered as well. Dynamic steering with variable ratios is optional, and is an acquired taste. The RS6 Avant rolls on 20- or 21-inch wheels and offers optional carbon-ceramic brakes.
The RS6 Avant looks the part, with a wider body and distinct front and rear fascias. Trademark RS styling elements include aluminum mirror caps and huge twin oval exhaust pipes. Beyond that, the appearance can be significantly altered with the Matte Aluminum and Carbon Appearance packages. These packages include an oversized Quattro badge, which breaks up the lower part of the "single-frame" grille. The Carbon Appearance package even alters the shape of the front splitter and the diffuser. Ordering the optional assistance systems severely changes the look of the front air intakes by adding two glossy black spheres—housing radar sensors for use in the car’s adaptive cruise control—that we find rather ruins the RS6’s look. Inside, there is more trademark RS treatment with a flat-bottom steering wheel, an 8000-rpm tachometer, a 200-mph speedometer, and RS logos aplenty.
The sad news, although not unexpected, is that the RS6 Avant won't be offered in the U.S. But it gives a very good idea of what to expect from the upcoming RS7, which could be offered in American showrooms. And that will be the ultimate hatchback.
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